What is the relationship between the body and biotechnology in contemporary life? How do questions of race, gender, post-coloniality, and trans/nationalism shape medical and scientific understandings of the body? In this discussion-intensive course, we will contextualise common assumptions about race, gender, and other seemingly “natural” categories in science and medicine by reading a range of critical writing on the body in literature, visual culture, and popular media. While we draw heavily on examples from Chinese, Asian, and Ethnic or Diasporic Studies, the course also welcomes interested postgraduate students from diverse disciplinary and area-studies backgrounds who are interested in postcolonial understandings of corporeality, and discussions in class will build on readings and students’ individual research presentations. Students are expected to bring or develop their own project on a topic related to medicine, science, and the body in literature, visual culture, or popular media to introduce and present over the course of the quarter. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Demonstrate an expanded knowledge of critical approaches to biotech and its impact perceptions of Asian identity/identities
2. Consider developments in biotech in light of race, class, gender, and other hierarchical categories
3. Critically evaluate, synthesise and construct evidence-based arguments, integrating theoretical frameworks
4. Contextualise learning from STEM areas in terms of broader humanities frameworks
5. Communicate findings effectively to scholarly and/or applied audiences

Required Resources

1. The Membranes, by Chi Ta-wei (e-book or hard copy): https://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-membranes/9780231195713
2. Found in Translation: 'New People' in 20th-century Chinese Science Fiction, by Jiang Jing (e-book or hard copy): https://cup.columbia.edu/book/found-in-translation/9780924304941
3. Films to view either through ANU Library or other media if students have access: 1. "The Eye" (2002, Pang Brothers, in Chinese/Cantonese and Thai with English subtitles); 2. "Blade Runner" (Ridley Scott director's cut); 3. "The Wandering Earth" (in Chinese/Mandarin with English subtitles)

Recommended Resources

Recommended reading and viewing:

Critical theory: Chinese Surplus: Biopolitical Aesthetics and the Medically Commodified Body, (e-book, hard copy, or OA version): https://muse.jhu.edu/book/64078.

Fiction: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Films: Never Let Me Go; Gattaca; Made in Hong Kong (Fruit Chan, 1998).

Secondary reading: Yellow Futures, by Jane Chi Hyun Park (discusses Orientalisms in Blade Runner"); "The Pan-Asian Outlook of 'The Eye,' by Adam Ni; chapter on "The Ghost Seer: Chinese Thai Minority Subjectivity, Female Agency, and the Transnational Uncanny in the films of Danny and Oxide Pang", (about "The Eye") by Arnika Fuhrmann.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Monday 22 November Live lecture and discussion, 3-5 p.m. Introduction to the course Basic introduction of Chinese science fiction history Student self-introductions	Student self-introductions
2	Weds 24 November 2-hour lecture and live discussion, 3-5 p.m. Translating Frankenstein in China Q&A (class discussion)	Please watch the film "The Eye" BEFORE Friday 26 November lecture. Available streaming through ANU library.
3	Friday 26 November 2-hour lecture and live discussion, 3-5 p.m. Representing organ transplant in film "The Eye" (2002) Q&A (class discussion)	Note: Book Report #1 on "Found in Translation" due Saturday 27 November by 5 pm
4	Monday 29 November 2-hour lecture and live discussion, 3-5 p.m. The Bodyworlds Anatomical Exhibits of Plastinated Cadavers Q&A (class discussion)
5	Thursday 2 December Watch Video and live-chat, 3-5 pm Watch "The Membranes and Queer Literature in Taiwan" (link TBP) Q&A (class discussion)
6	Friday 3 December Listen to podcast and live-chat, 10 am-12 pm Listen to Utopian Futures podcast (1 hour, link TBP). Q&A (class discussion)	Note: Book Report #2 on "The Membranes" due Saturday 4 December by 5 pm
7	Sunday 5 December 9-3 pm, Individual consultations about final paper projects	By appointment; sign-up sheet to be arranged after course census date
8	Monday 6 December 9 am - 12 pm	View the film "Blade Runner" online in teams/breakout rooms, sharing comments by chat function on Zoom. Students download and submit chat transcript. Then live full-group discussion. Film available to stream through ANU Library.
9	Tuesday 7 December 9 am-12 pm	View the film "Wandering Earth" online in teams/breakout rooms, sharing comments by chat function on Zoom. Students download and submit chat transcript. Then live full-group discussion. Film available to stream through ANU Library.
10	Fri 10 December 9-12 pm, Student presentations of final projects in progress (group 2)	Students present their projects-in-progress, 5-10 mins/per student depending on enrollments
11	Thurs 9 December 9-12 pm, Student presentations of final projects in progress (group 1)	Students present their projects-in-progress, 5-10 mins/per student depending on enrollments
12	Final paper project due by 4 p.m. on 12 December (last day of the course)

Tutorial Registration

Attendance will be taken at Q&A. Lectures will be a mix of live and recorded.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment
Book Report #1 on "Found in Translation" due Saturday 27 November by 5 pm	25 %	27/11/2021	03/12/2021
Book Report #2 on "The Membranes" due Saturday 4 December by 5 pm	25 %	04/12/2021	10/12/2021
Presentation of paper-in-progress	20 %	09/12/2021	11/12/2021
Final project	30 %	12/12/2021	*

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

As this is a short, intensive course, you are expected to participate in all classes and discussions. When watching films in small groups, your chat transcripts should be submitted to the instructor. You are also expected to be present for, and participate in, live discussions of lectures, and to contribute constructive commentary when other students present their final-projects-in-progress.

Examination(s)

There will be no final exam.

Assessment Task 1

Book Report #1 on "Found in Translation" due Saturday 27 November by 5 pm

Please read the entire book and write a book review of it, of 300-500 words, as if for other scholars: Not a "thumbs up/thumbs down" review, but an academic review of the book that demonstrates that you have read it carefully and can describe its contents in your own words. You can discuss its main arguments, provide examples and details, and discuss 3-5 key takeaway points from the book. Your main task here is to prove that you've read the book carefully. Assignments should be submitted via TurnItIn with a zero tolerance for plagiarism.

Assessment Task 2

Book Report #2 on "The Membranes" due Saturday 4 December by 5 pm

Please read the entire book and write a book review of it, of 300-500 words. This is a work of fiction, and it contains an "Afterword" by the translator. Please read both, and then write your own review of it. Here it is important not to evaluate the book simply as "good" or "bad" or "I liked it" or "I didn't like it". Instead, please describe the book carefully as if you are introducing it to a new reader; see if you can evaluate the structure and organisation of the book and possibly compare it to other things you've read or viewed (including for this class). You are welcome to search for existing reviews of the book online (on Tor.com, ABCNews.com.au, the LA Times, etc.) for reference; you may quote from these other reviews if you agree or disagree with aspects of them and want to make a clear argument. Assignments should be submitted via TurnItIn with a zero tolerance for plagiarism.

Assessment Task 3

Presentation of paper-in-progress

Each student must submit a final paper by 12 December, 2021. Before that, you must do a presentation on your topic to the rest of the class. This should be a Powerpoint-style presentation of 5-10 minutes (depending on the number of students enrolled in the class, TBD). Your project itself does not need to be completed at this point--you just need to be able to demonstrate what kind of ideas you've had, what research you've already done, and how you plan to complete it. This is an opportunity for both instructor and classmates alike to offer you constructive feedback.

Assessment Task 4

Final project

Your final research project is due on 12 December, 2021 (the last day of class). This should be an essay of minimum 2000 words. You may propose a topic to me, or if you wish, I can assign you a topic. Either way, your final project must relate directly to this course. Topics I might suggest include for example: 1. Compare Chi Ta-wei's novelThe Membranes with Ishiguro's novel Klara and the Sun; 2. Read two more essays on the movie "The Eye" (I can give you copies) and write a full-length review or discussion of the movie, bringing in outside examples if you wish (for instance, the Jessica Alba or Indian "Nain" remakes of the movie); or 3. Write an essay comparing any 2 or 3 of the films and novels Never Let Me Go, Gattaca, The Membranes, and The Eye. Make sure you include a bibliography and use either the MLA or Chicago notation style consistently throughout your paper. Assignments should be submitted via TurnItIn with a zero tolerance for plagiarism.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Final projects will be returned upon request.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

N/A

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students